Chapter 2: The “Story” of Heralds: Development of the Office (from 12th to 18th c.)

Chapter two shall give a first synthesis of the development of this office from its start at the tournaments of the 12th century in northwest Europe, its later spread all over the continent, to its further development until the end of the ancient regime. Even if they took place quite differently, there is apparently a common pattern of breaks in this history of office concerning the recruitment of heralds, their social background and their ascent into nobility – which, of course, is all also well linked to some changes in their functions and to some changes in the historical background.

Topics that could be discussed in this chapter:

the origins of the office

the inner hierarchy of the office

breaks in social background, from marginality to nobility, change in social status and prosperity

spread of the office all over Europe in the 15th century

relationship to their masters

heralds entering the service of nobility and princes (what came first?)

In whose name did heralds act? Tthe different kinds of masters: noblemen, kings and princes, orders of knighthood, cities and estates.

their own ascent to nobility

questions:

persons vs. institutions

how close was the relationship to their masters?

the community of heralds

rivalries among heralds (?)

mutations of the office

breaks in the social and professional background of the incumbents

the former professions of the future heralds : minstrels, messengers, artists, clerks

spotlights for different countries, for different époques

case studies for different heralds (short biographies on their backgrounds and careers)

Torsten Hiltmann

Torsten Hiltmann is Juniorprofessor for the High and Late Middle Ages and Auxiliary Sciences at the University of Münster. He is interested in medieval and early modern visual communication and heraldry, the medieval notion of kingship and the methods and technologies of Digital Humanities.

History of Heralds in Europe (12th – 18th c.)

This blog supports a workshop and a collaborative book project on the history of heralds in Europe (12th-18th c.). It informs about the progress of the project and provides a platform of exchange and discussion to the participants as well as to everyone interested in this under-explored subject.